Hawaii Island

This week, we’ve been looking at the tourism industry throughout the state, in our series “Traveling Money: Managing Hawai‘i’s Tourism Future.” Today we get an update about Hawai'i Island, where tourism is the best it’s been in a decade. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

If you live on Hawaiʻi Island, your property insurance may be changing, and very soon. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, has taken a new look at the island’s flood zone maps and that could have an impact on your flood insurance. We get an update from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken in Kona.

It’s been 33 years since Mauna Loa last erupted, but an alert level remains in place at the world’s largest active volcano. Scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory raised the alert level two years ago. HPR Contributing Reporter Sherry Bracken says that although scientists say no eruption is imminent, they want Hawai'i Island residents to be aware of the likelihood of a future eruption.

Just over a month ago, Hawai'i County Mayor Harry Kim and his team moved most of the homeless out of Old Airport Park on the west side of the island. That meant around 68 people who had been living in the park had to leave. About half of them are now living in the County’s new tent city. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has an update.

As many as five thousand people are expected to descend on Kona this week. They'll be there to watch or to paddle in what organizers call the largest outrigger canoe race in the world. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken got details from officials of the sponsoring canoe club and has this report.

Hawai'i County water users in North Kona have been under tight restrictions since January. Nearly 40 percent of the wells serving that area are currently out of service. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken talked to county officials about plans for a short-term fix as well as a long-term solution.

A memorial service will take place tomorrow on Hawai'i Island for a person who changed the way people look at local sport fishing. Jim Rizzuto passed away last month, but left a legacy that lives on well beyond the waters of Hawai'i. We get more from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken.

A new long-distance canoe race is coming to Hawai'i Island this Saturday. It will not only provide paddling experience but will also benefit a significant historical site on the island. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken explains.

Last week, Hawai'i County started clearing homeless people from Old Airport Park. It was the first step of a process that continues this week—with a more extensive cleanup. The County and private agencies have made significant progress in helping resolve the issue of where people can live. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken explains.

The challenges of homelessness differ on each island---for those who experience it, those who try to help them, and those who enforce the law. On Hawai‘i Island, Mayor Harry Kim has made it a priority to clean up a West Hawai‘i Park where many have been living illegally. Right now around 60 people live there, and authorities are making some changes. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has the story.

The west side of the Big Island has had water trouble all year. Customers in North Kona remain under mandatory restrictions—cutting their use by 25 percent. But relief should be on the way in a couple of months. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

The entire state is trying to come up with solutions to address homelessness. In Hawai'i County, the annual Point in Time Count showed a reduction in homeless individuals from last year to this year of about a third. But that still leaves nearly a thousand unsheltered people on the island by the official count. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken talked with county and state officials about how the issue is being addressed.

It’s been a long-time goal for business and government to broaden Hawai'i’s economy beyond its main driver of tourism. One growth area in recent years: film and television production. That’s true across the state—and also on Hawai'i Island. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

28 years ago, the city of Beijing was in chaos. Two nights earlier, Chinese authorities had cleared Tiananmen Square. On June 5, 1989, news outlets around the world showed an Associated Press photo showing someone who has come to be known as “Tank Man.” The photographer who took that photo was on Hawai'i Island recently working on his new book about the parts of Hawaii tourists often do not see, and talked with HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken about what it took to get the shot.

Several years ago, Hawai'i County Prosecutor Mitch Roth started a program on the east side of the Big Island aimed at working with young offenders. It links actions and consequences – and it’s been so successful he wants to start a similar program on the west side. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken tells us more from Kona.

Today is Memorial Day, remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. On the Big Island, there are commemorations in Hilo, Kona and Volcano. But the week of remembrance started earlier with a special installation at the island’s newest Veterans Cemetery. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken was there and has this report.

Astronomers say the best place on earth to practice their science is on Hawai‘i Island: Mauna Kea. The mountain is also important to cultural practitioners, hunters, hikers, and sightseers. The Mayor of Hawai'i County has been sharing his vision for the mountain. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more.

Hawai'i County water users in the North Kona District are being asked to cut back on their water use. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken explains what's going on, and how long the restrictions will last.

On Hawai'i Island’s west side, a heavily used beach park is open after being closed for two weeks. On February 24, Kahaluʻu Beach Park was closed after it was discovered that raw sewage had spilled on the beach and into the water. A broken sewer cleanout was the problem. Hawai'i County Parks and Recreation Department’s Director, Charmaine Kamaka, thanked the dozens of county workers who got the repairs done so the favorite snorkel spot of locals and tourists could reopen. Kahaluʻu Beach Park reopened this afternoon.

Hawai'i Island’s Kīlauea Volcano gets a lot of attention with its two spectacular eruption locations. But the island’s dominant active volcano is also under close observation from scientists. We get details from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken.

It's been a dramatic new year so far for one of Hawai'i Island's most spectacular sights. The Kīlauea Volcano has been continuously erupting for 34 years—but there have been some changes since January. As for current conditions, HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken got an update from scientists at the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Big Island State Senator Kai Kahele and State Representative Mark Nakashima have introduced companion bills to provide an economic boost for Hilo’s business community. We have more about the proposals from HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken.

Hawai'i Island lost a local giant last week. You could call him a businessman, but that’s just one small piece of the story of someone who made Hilo his home for more than nine decades and help shape the island’s economy. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from the Big Island.

Two years ago, the State Legislature appropriated $90 million dollars to build a new judiciary building in Kona. Now, Hawai‘i State Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald is asking for more funding. He spoke with HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken, who has this report.

One of Hawai‘i’s learning centers is near the northeast coast of Hawai‘i Island. The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo offers courses for credit and for lifelong learning at its adjunct location in Honoka‘a. But it’s also home to some remarkable cultural and historical artifacts of North Hawai‘i. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Hawai‘i Island.

For more than 20 years, a special program has connected girls on Hawai‘i Island with math and science. It’s called “Girls Exploring Math and Science.” HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more from Kona.

When Hawai‘i’s legislature convenes its next session in January, the state House of Representatives will have a new chair of the Agriculture Committee. Former chair Clift Tsuji of Hilo died earlier this month, and the new chair is also from Hawai‘i Island. He recently spoke to HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken about some of his policy priorities.

A week from Monday, Hawai‘i County will swear in a new Mayor. But until noon that day, Billy Kenoi remains the chief executive of Hawai‘i County. He spoke with HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken about his 8 years in office.

Since 2009, the current administration has completed more than 160 major projects on Hawai'i Island. That’s more than 630 million dollars on roads, parks, sewers, housing—even rodeo arenas. Mayor Kenoi says he’s proud of the transformative nature of that spending.

The last time the United States put an astronaut on the moon, Richard Nixon was president and Elvis Presley played a concert in Honolulu. That was 1972—and while moon shots are part of history, a mission to Mars is still in the future. NASA is working on it—and Hawai‘i Island is playing a role. HPR contributing reporter Sherry Bracken has more on the story from Kona.

Five time space shuttle astronaut Jeff Hoffman once helped repair the Hubble Telescope in space. Now he’s spending some time at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park….representing NASA.